In remembrance of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement:

“As the nation remembers and reflects upon the lives of the heroes and sheroes whose lives were taken as the result of the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, I too pause to pay homage and celebrate the lives of those who perished.  We will never forget that almost 3,000 lives were lost, including 343 firefighters and 23 police officers, on that day.  Their contributions and legacies will forever be remembered.

On the sixth anniversary of this tragedy, I honor the memory of all of those who paid the ultimate price.  I honor the entrepreneurs, business owners, executives and managers whose vision for business has gone unrealized.  I honor the working class individuals who may not have held a corner office with their names on the door, but were an integral part of our thriving economy and communities.  I honor the memory of the parents that were working during the day, pursing a degree at night and checking their child’s homework in between.  I honor the memory of those who trace their heritage to other nations representing the four corners of the world.  Today, the contributions of all these individuals stand as a beacon to remind us that much of our strength and resiliency as a nation lies within our diverse racial and ethnic composition.

I also honor the first responders that survived.  These heroes came from just about every state across the country.  Unfortunately,  six years later, many diseases and complications stemming from the recovery and rescue work done at Ground Zero are just beginning to appear.  I have committed myself to fight for the survivors and victims to receive the medical treatment they so rightly deserve. 

As an outspoken co-sponsor of the Maloney-Nadler-Fossella 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, I will push to ensure that this legislation, which establishes programs to monitor and treat everyone exposed to the dangerous toxins found at Ground Zero, is passed and implemented.Whether a police officer, firefighter, construction worker, area resident, government employee or anyone else who spent significant time at the scene, these New Yorkers are entitled to treatment for any disease that doctors find is tied to 9-11 recovery work.  This legislation honors those who survived the 9-11 attacks, as well as those who perished, by ensuring that we as a nation do all we can for those who continue to pay the price for liberty and justice in a time when our resolve regarding these values is put to the test.

As we stand today to remember, my continued prayers go out to the families that suffered the loss of loved ones and for those of us who remain.  For the rest of us I pray that we strive to walk in excellence and courage.”

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